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A review by sveta
The Art of Dying by Ambrose Parry
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
My opinion on this book is anything but conclusive. Because I did like it, but I have quite a few qualms about it too. I do intend to read the rest of the books, though.
You might think me harsh flr the following.
I fear I may have witnessed a bit of character assassination at the hands of the authors. Although I'm aware that a year abroad could really change a person, but, in my opinion at least, Raven acted out of character. Some of it was welcome, like his jokes, even if they weren't the best, they were still funny, but I found the rest of his personality sometimes strayed too far from how I perceived the character would or should react. Obviously, this is subjective, and I could very well be wrong.
I do agree (with Sarah) that Raven's ambition blinded him and made him act immature and a bit selfish, and Sarah often chided and chastised him for his arrogance. I think this is a symptom of his character assassination, in my opinion.
I should add, that I've seen how much disdain Raven's mostly newfound negative personality traits and actions have garnered. But we should remember, that he is a product of his time. Does that excuse his mysogony? Of course not. But we should not lose sight of it. And if it he had been perfect from the start, what character development could have taken place? Not much. I just wish it had been from the start, rather than from book 2.
However, throughout the book, maybe not by the characters themselves, (except for Archie, Dr Simpson and Mrs Glassford), Sarah's ambition is encouraged, or at the very least, presented in a positive light. I get the message, and I do find it important, but seeing as though her ambition might be more supported because of the obvious hardships she will face as a result of her gender, it seems redundant, as a man is discouraged for the same ambition. It seems a bit counterintuitive. Just imagine if their roles were reversed.
Oh, and I just remembered. At the end, we're presented with the somewhat comical prospect, that Raven intends to start his own practice and employ Sarah, thinking that's all she could want from life, when it's anything but. She wants to go to New York and acquire a diploma in medicine. I would think, or at least hope, that Raven would love and know Sarah enough to know, that she desires more from life than being an assistant, when he himself knows that intellectually, they are on the same level, and that Sarah might even be wiser, she's just not afforded the same prospects and opportunities as Raven.
And, Raven will wait for her, I think, even though Sarah didn't, though, the circumstances probably will be different.
And I'm aware I very well could have been attacked for my opinion here, if it weren't for the fact that on this platform one cannot comment on another's review, which might be the saviour of my sanity.
<spoiler/>
You might think me harsh flr the following.
I fear I may have witnessed a bit of character assassination at the hands of the authors. Although I'm aware that a year abroad could really change a person, but, in my opinion at least, Raven acted out of character. Some of it was welcome, like his jokes, even if they weren't the best, they were still funny, but I found the rest of his personality sometimes strayed too far from how I perceived the character would or should react. Obviously, this is subjective, and I could very well be wrong.
I do agree (with Sarah) that Raven's ambition blinded him and made him act immature and a bit selfish, and Sarah often chided and chastised him for his arrogance. I think this is a symptom of his character assassination, in my opinion.
I should add, that I've seen how much disdain Raven's mostly newfound negative personality traits and actions have garnered. But we should remember, that he is a product of his time. Does that excuse his mysogony? Of course not. But we should not lose sight of it. And if it he had been perfect from the start, what character development could have taken place? Not much. I just wish it had been from the start, rather than from book 2.
However, throughout the book, maybe not by the characters themselves, (except for Archie, Dr Simpson and Mrs Glassford), Sarah's ambition is encouraged, or at the very least, presented in a positive light. I get the message, and I do find it important, but seeing as though her ambition might be more supported because of the obvious hardships she will face as a result of her gender, it seems redundant, as a man is discouraged for the same ambition. It seems a bit counterintuitive. Just imagine if their roles were reversed.
Oh, and I just remembered. At the end, we're presented with the somewhat comical prospect, that Raven intends to start his own practice and employ Sarah, thinking that's all she could want from life, when it's anything but. She wants to go to New York and acquire a diploma in medicine. I would think, or at least hope, that Raven would love and know Sarah enough to know, that she desires more from life than being an assistant, when he himself knows that intellectually, they are on the same level, and that Sarah might even be wiser, she's just not afforded the same prospects and opportunities as Raven.
And, Raven will wait for her, I think, even though Sarah didn't, though, the circumstances probably will be different.
And I'm aware I very well could have been attacked for my opinion here, if it weren't for the fact that on this platform one cannot comment on another's review, which might be the saviour of my sanity.
<spoiler/>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infertility, Suicide, and Vomit